Vincent Adekoye
10 November 2008
Tension is brewing in Benin City, Edo State capital, ahead tomorrow's Judgment of Court of Appeal on governorship election in Edo State between governor Oserhimen Osunbor and the Action Congress (AC) candidate, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. the Nigeria police Force have drafted over 6,500 armed personnel to the state.
This is besides plain clothes security operatives that have been mobilized from the neighbouring Ondo, Delta and Bayelsa States, to ensure adequate security in Edo tomorrow.
It would be recalled that the peace of the state had been threatened some months ago after the ruling of the lower tribunal that nullified the election of governor Osunbor.
During the last sitting of the Court of Appeal in Benin City, the same ugly scenario had repeated itself as party youths of PDP and ACclashed leaving many innocent residents injured and several business premises destroyed.
Confirming the new security arrangement, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state police command, Mr. Peter Ogboi, said the command had put in place enough security measures to ensure peace tomorrow..
"Edo State police command has put in place adequate security measures to ensure protection of residents of the state that day.
"With the active support of the IG, more men have been deployed to assist the rank and file and our warning goes to political party members in the state, we want them to caution their followers.
"The command shall not fold its hands watching irate youths destroying property or causing chaos that day. We want peace in Edo and nothing should be done to raise tension,." Ogboi said.
Daily Champion gathered that some major higher institutions within and outside the capital city have been put under security surveillance.
They include the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin, (UNIBEN), Ambrose Alli University and the Auchi Polytechnic.
In addition to the extra security measures, report said men of the Nigerian soldiers at the 4th Bridgade and other formations at Ekenwan and Auchi have been placed under red alert should there be any break down of
law and order.
Source at the Intelligent department of the state police command confirmed that apart from security net that has been woven round some of the hotels located within the known black spots in the city, visitors into the state capital are been monitored especially those entering in groups.
Meanwhile, both candidates are already celebrating victory hoping that judgment would go their way.
Professor Oserheimen yesterday said he was not afraid to face the D-day.
Governor Osunbor who spoke to newsmen shortly after returning from Abuja where he attended some national assignments, told newsmen that he remained unruffled despite series of propaganda by the opposition party, adding that his personal belongings remained intact inside his official quarters inside the Government House, Benin City.
It would be recalled that there had been some baseless rumour going round the state that the governor had sneaked out of the state in anticipation of the judgment.
He said that since the inception of his administration, government had been striving to sustain peace and security in the state and keep criminality at its barest minimum.
He called on the people to ensure that Edo State remains a peaceful and safe society where people respect laws, adding that the state believed in civilized conduct.
He expressed hope on the outcome of the appeal and called on the people of Edo State to remain prayerful as everything would be well with the State Government.
Professor Osunbor thanked the Oba of Benin for declaring a 3 threeday fast for peace to reign in Edo State and indeed Nigeria as a whole, stressing that the initiative was quite timely..
He expressed confidence that God Almightily will hearken to the prayers of Edo people and ensure that evil-minded people do not succeed in their machinations.
Meanwhile, former chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Tony Anenih yesterday cautioned the ruling PDP , the Action Congress(AC) and Labour Party(LP)in Edo and Ondo states against the alleged plot to disrupt the planned ruling of the court of Appeal on the governorship election in both states stressing that such attempt may bring sorrow to the states.
He advised the law abiding people of the two states to shun any attempt by any politician to use them to disrupt the proceedings of the Appeal court stating that such act would only bring sorrow to the people.
Chief Anenih who spoke against the backdrop of plot by some politicians in the two states to unleash anarchy in the states on the day of the Appeal court ruling on the fate of governor Osunbor of Edo State advised the warring parties to sheath their swords and accept the verdict of the court.
The former BOT chairman in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday declared' i am disturbed by accusations and counter-accusations, in the media, by the contending political parties in the election appeals in Edo and Ondo States about plans to disrupt the proceedings of the Court of Appeal in Benin City, on the day judgment is scheduled to be delivered.
Whatever the veracity of these allegations, I feel obliged to say a word of caution on this matter. Since the elections of 2007, scores of verdict have been given by Election Tribunal, at various levels, and it is remarkable that none has been received with violence or acts of thuggery.
In every case, those at the losing end of the verdicts have either taken up the option of appeal (in the case of Election Tribunals) or accepted their fate (in the case of Appeal Court verdicts).
This is a clear demonstration of a pervasive acceptance of democratic culture in our country; a culture in which losers of elections perceive the courts as their last resort in obtaining electoral justice.
Fortunately, the nation's judiciary has, by and large, lived up to its expected role as the temple of justice. No court judgment, anywhere in the world, will satisfy everyone. What is required is for justice to be seen to have been done. That is why we must all be willing to condition our minds to accept the verdicts of the courts, even when they are not favourable to our cause.
In any case, nothing can be gained by resorting to acts of violence and intimidation on court premises. Such acts will not influence any judgment of the courts; they can only bring sorrow and pains to those who engage in them.
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